Football has returned! It has been a busy two weeks for Town with five games played in that period, winning two away from home & losing three at The Recycling Lives Ground. But that doesn't tell the whole story. So below is a recap of the going's on over those 13 days & 5 games.

First up we travelled to the newly renamed Darwen FC . It was immediately a new look Town on paper as only five of the starting XI were at the club during the 2021/22 season. However it was two of those five who combined for our first goal of pre-season as Ben Fletcher crossed for Moses Yoak to control and finish inside the box. Then it was time for one of many trialists on the night to take centre stage as Trialist A scored two second half goals, securing Town a 3-0 win to begin pre-season with a win and a clean sheet.

We swiftly moved on to our next engagement, away to Garstang FC two days later. A few more new faces were in the side for this one with Tom Goodwin deputising in goal in place of the absent James Aspinall. Kian Makepeace also came into the side having joined up with Town for pre-season from Kendal Town. However it was another new face who would open the scoring 5 minutes before half time for Longridge as Ethan Gough fired home the opener from 20 yards. The second half again saw many trialists take to the field for 'The Ridge' and once more it was Trialist A who scored to secure Town two wins in a row.

The following Tuesday it's fair to say Town took a dramatic jump in standard of opposition facing off against Bolton Wanderers at The Recycling Lives Ground in the first home fixture since the re-naming of our ground. Ian Evatt, having been very complimentary of our pre-season efforts on and off the pitch last season, stayed true to his word and brought his first team squad up the M61 again. With Bolton bringing a squad of 26 players they had two separate XI's to start each half along with 4 substitutes to take bit part roles. Longridge meanwhile lined up with a similar side to that which beat Garstang although Aspinall returned in goal to play just short of an hour. The first half saw Bolton score three goals with no reply in what was a well contested half, the league one side ultimately picking Town off with a couple of pieces of top quality. The second half however saw Longridge's legs tire & the fresh Wanderers XI get well on top. Towns substitutions did not stem the flow of Bolton attacks as we struggled to get out of a defensive block and ultimately the away side came out 9-0 victors. However off the pitch it was a roaring success for Longridge as a record crowd of 1056 came through the gate, all with exemplary behaviour & the opposition showed nothing but grace off the filed following their win with Evatt again complimentary of Town, especially their pitch with special praise going to Head Groundsman Mark Shuttleworth.

Last Saturday saw us take on last years NWCFL Premier Division champions Macclesfield FC. With plenty of new signings it was clear to see the visitors had strengthened further over the off season, although it was great to see former flying full back at Longridge, Brandon Lee, leading Macclesfield out as captain. The Town line up saw Harvey Hayhurst replace the unavailable Matthew Flynn, with Kian Makepeace also returning to the side. Our visitors started the game extremely well, forcing Town back and getting two goals to the good inside half an hour courtesy of Freedman & Bowers. The game was then somewhat ruined. As Town were warming to the occasion and playing their way back into the game, the referee made the questionable decision to give young Town defender Mitch Marshall his marching orders following an arm on the shoulder of the 6ft 2 Macclesfield forward who was looking to chase down a ball over the top. To their credit however Town did nick a goal back on the stroke of half time as Makepeace made the most of an error in the visitors backline to round the opposing 'keeper and slot home. Naturally the second period was played at less of a pace as the ten men of Town played a more reserved style than initially set out with their full complement of eleven. Macclesfield went on to score only the once in the second half, the game finishing 3-1 to the visitors who look sure to be challenging for another promotion this coming season.

Our most recent game of pre-season which saw us reach the half way mark of our preparation welcomed FC United to The Recycling Lives Ground. This fixture saw Town arguably field their strongest XI of pre-season so far despite the noticeable absence of captain Matthew Flynn. Town started well getting on the front foot from the off. As Scott Harries earned a free kick 25 yards from goal just six minutes into the game it was a trademark position for Moses Yoak to step up to the plate. Right footed the versatile central midfielder come centre half struck over the wall and into the bottom corner to the despairing goalkeepers right side. This was just the start Town wanted and it appeared to further spur on the home side as newly recruited defender Connor Newton flew into three brilliantly executed challenges in the space of 10 minutes. Unfortunately the Longridge mans bravery got the better of him eventually as he was unable to continue on the half hour mark following an awkward landing after winning a towering defensive header. Two minutes later a mix up at the back for Town gifted FC winger Edy Macieo the ball from a home throw in and although his shot was parried by an inspired Aspinall in the Longridge goal, the follow up was easily slid home for 1-1. Aspinall was to be tested a couple more times before half time as FC looked to take a lead in to the break, but the stopper was well up to his task repelling all on comers to keep the game level. Town made early changes in the second half with Kian Makepeace & Charlie Alston replacing Paul Turner & Mitch Marshall. The brightest spark in attack for Town was Jack Arrowsmith, his pace & trickery threatening to trouble the opposing back line on multiple occasions. However it would be our visitors FC United who took the lead in the 73rd minute with Charlie Ennis scoring what proved to be the winning goal from 20 yards with a stunning free kick over the wall, giving 'keeper Aspinall no chance.

And so as we reached the aforementioned half way mark in our pre season campaign, we caught up with Manager Lee Ashcroft for his thoughts on how preparations are going ahead of his eighth season in charge at 'The Ridge'.

Asked how he feels his squad is shaping up Ashcroft had the following to say; 'I think things are going well on and off the field to be honest with you. We lost a couple of lads over the summer, mostly through decisions made to freshen the squad up, although obviously we did lose Jack to FC United but it was good to see him back tonight and we wish him all the best for the season ahead. Recruitment wise we've stuck to our plan and our ethos of bringing in young players who want to play football the right way and we believe have the attitude to do so playing for this club. A few of these lads we've brought in are taking a step up and a step into the unknown in terms of semi-pro football but they're taking to it well so far and I can really see them gelling into a team which is improving game by game. The goalkeeper situation was one we were keen to address as soon as possible following the conclusion of last season and we had our eye on James as our main target so I'm delighted he is here as a young yet experienced member of the side. I think in an ideal world there will be a couple more new players coming into the side before our season kicks off and we can keep hold of what we already have at the moment.'

We also asked Lee for his thoughts on the pre season fixtures, results & performances so far. He responded; 'It's been pretty much as expected results wise I suppose. The first two fixtures were against sides from the division below so even with unfamiliar squads I was glad to see us come out on top against Darwen & Garstang. The Bolton game I have to say is not so much about the result and what we can do on the pitch as it is what it brings for the club off the pitch. We gave it our best and grafted which is all I can ask of the lads and I thought to be fair to them first half we were far from disgraced and perhaps the final score was a little harsh. The last two games have served to prove more where we are at looking towards the season. I think the Macclesfield game we matched them for the most part of the game and I was especially pleased with how we dealt with having 10 men against a side from a higher division even though we should never have been in that circumstance in the first place but these things happen in football and it's about how we can react to them, in this case it was pleasing to see. Tonight (FC United 5/7/22) was the best we've played and that's how it should be as we move through pre-season. You can see the lads are getting a better understanding with each other and playing some good football. Scotty Harries was great for us again, Ethan was very good on the ball in midfield and James Aspinall between the sticks was probably man of the match with some of those saves he's made out there. All in all I think we're in quite a good place with just over 3 weeks left and I'm looking forward to these remaining five preseason games to finish our preparation on a good note hopefully.'

Towns next game sees Blackpool FC send an XI on Saturday to visit The Recycling Lives Ground for a 3pm kick off. The fixture is pay on the day and ticket prices are below.

Adults - £7
Concessions - £4
12-18 - £2
Under 11 - FREE

We hope to see as many of you as possible there. #UpTheRidge